Cora Sue Elam Smith

Cora Sue (Elam) Smith, 77 of Valdosta, Ga, transitioned on Friday, July 15,2022, at Rehab of South Georgia. She was born Monday, June 4, 1945, in Lincolnton, Ga, daughter of the late John A and Annie Kate (Tutt) Elam. Sue accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age and joined Mulberry C.M.E. Church.

Annie Kate raised all her children with strong Christian values.  Forgiveness and to love one another was the mandatory key.  Growing up in a house with an extra-large family is where Sue learned the art of cooking and loving. Sue had a heart of gold and was the sweetest of all, always kisses and hugs for her younger siblings. Sue attended Mulberry school through third grade. She was a 1964 graduate of Lincoln County Training School. She sang in the school choir. She then followed her older siblings to Miami and attended Miami Dade Junior College. She returned to Lincolnton in 1972 and worked briefly in Thompson.  After finding herself at the top of a hill while driving home from work, she gave up the idea of driving ever again. Sue returned to Miami in 1973 where she was a hard worker at various jobs including in Dietary at Northshore hospital, Florida shoe factory and finally retiring from Nutrition Services at Jackson Memorial hospital. She was instrumental in the family’s food truck business, prior to food trucks being popular, “Smokey’s Barbeque”. She prided herself on being able to adapt to any setting as she had lived in different cities and states. There was nowhere on this earth that she wouldn’t go for her grands. Three years ago, she and her husband left West Palm Beach, Florida, both with ailing health and moved to Valdosta where her daughter and grandchildren lived. Sue will be sorely missed by all those she has touched.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Annie Lou Elam, Onnie Dell Leverett, Nathaniel “Pa/Smokey” Elam, Ella Maude “Ma” Elam, Camilla Elam Frost and Benjamin “Ben” Elam.

She is survived by her husband and companion of 42 years, Cedric Smith, Valdosta, Ga; son, Ruhemmion “Hemmie” King Sr, Lincolnton, Ga; daughter Elisha “Charoun” Smith Crawford (Jeromy Sr) of Valdosta, Ga; eight grandchildren, Taylar Smith, Jeromy Crawford Jr, Jermani Crawford, Dreamisha King, Shirahz Dodson,  Tayvis Dodson,  Quinterrious Dodson, Ruhemmion King Jr; brothers and sisters: John Albert Elam (*Hallie), Henry Lee Elam (Gloria), Clifford Elam, Carol Elam, Onita Elam, Odessa Elam of Miami, Fl; Rosezelle Elam, Earl Elam (*Evernell), Laura Belle Elam, Lula Belle Elam Beard (George), Carl Elam (Mary) of Lincolnton, Ga; Harry Morgan Elam (Carolyn), Carey Elam (Tracy) of Grovetown, Ga; Bernard Elam (Lisa) of Orlando, Fl; Otis Derek Elam (Joyce) of Athens, GA; Pamela Elam Tatum (Cecil) of Houston, Tx; One Aunt Willie Mae Elam (*Sam) and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends.

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